It was a warm night as Wrexham took on Brentford at the Racecourse Ground. Brentford needed a win to keep their play off chase from entering the last day of the season. Wrexham needed a win to keep their League One Status alive until the last day.
Wrexham started strongly and pushed Brentford back immediately. They took a bizarre lead in the 6th minute when Eddie Hutchinson managed to beat Stuart Nelson from 18 yards. The Wrexham fans were now in full voice and they believed that they could stay up. (Wrexham 1-0 Brentford).
Wrexham then dominated proceedings. Chris Llewellyn had a 25 yard shot tipped around the post by Stuart Nelson. Carlos Edwards had a shot which was punched clear by the in-form goal-keeper.
Brentford started to break the rut which they had got themselves into as Wrexham were not beating them back as they were in the early exchanges. hris Hargreaves committed a foul on Darren Ferguson and was booked for unsporting behaviour. His dissent meant that the ball was moved forward 10 yards.
Wrexham led 1-0 going into the Half Time interval and were now contemplating a final assault on staying up.
Martin Allen made two changes to the team Darren Pratley and Marcus Gayle were brought on for Chris Hargreaves and Jay Tabb in an effort to get back into the match.
The opening exchanges of the second half were mainly a midfield battle. Juan Urgarte, Wrexham’s top-scorer, was caught offside a couple of times. Darren Pratley fouled Carlos Edwards and was booked for unsporting behaviour. Shaun Pejic headed over from a Darren Ferguson, Sir Alex Ferguson’s son, corner.
Brentford’s pressure counted after 68 minutes. A Darren Pratley corner was flicked on by Michael Turner and Isaiah Rankin had a free header to put the ball into the net to stun the home crowd into silence. (Wrexham 1-1 Brentford)
Brentford found more self-belief and started to look for a winner. Wrexham felt deflated having lead the match for over an hour. Matt Crowell replaced by Chris Armstrong as Wrexham looked to get the goal which would give them a chance come Saturday. Marcus Gayle had a 30 yard free kick caught by their goalkeeper.
Both teams made a substitution in the 84th minute. Brentford unleashed Scott P. Fitzgerald at the expense of Deon Burton. Wrexham took off Chris Llewellyn to be replaced by Mark Jones.
Andrew Holt was booked for dissent which was purely frustration after he was adjudged to have fouled Sam Sodje. Wrexham fans started to leave the ground as they had given up all hope of snatching a win.
Brentford, however, still were pushing for a winner and they got it in stoppage time. Isaiah Rankin crossed the ball into Scott P. Fitzgerald and he rifled the ball into the back of the net from 18 yards to send the 350+ Bees fans into delirium. (Wrexham 1-2 Brentford)
It was a cruel way for the game to end for Wrexham who will now be playing their trade in the bottom tier of League football. It could have been all so different. Their fans should remember that they were relegated not on the field but off it. All the best of luck to Wrexham and I hope to see them rise again. Now it is between MK Dons, Oldham and Torquay to stay up.
As for Brentford that goal sends Martin Allen’s team into the play-offs for certain with Bournemouth and Hartlepool playing each other. Things are getting interesting at both top and bottom.
Wrexham
B Foster, S Pejic, C Morgan, D Lawrence, C Edwards, D Williams, D Ferguson, M Crowell (77 C Armstrong) , A Holt, J Ugarte, C Llewellyn (84 M Jones)
Subs: A Smith, C Armstrong, D Bennett, M Jones, R Harrison
Brentford
S Nelson, K O'Connor, S Sodje, M Turner, C Hargreaves (45 D Pratley) , J Tabb (45 M Gayle) , S Talbot, A Frampton, E Hutchinson, I Rankin, D Burton (84 S Fitzgerald)
Subs: J Salako, D Pratley, S Fitzgerald, A Bankole, M Gayle
Ref: E Evans
Att: 4374
Possession:
Wrexham 49% - 51% Brentford
Shots:
Wrexham 9 – 8 Brentford
Corners:
Wrexham 10 – 6 Brentford
Fouls:
Wrexham 16 – 15 Brentford
Bookings:
Wrexham 1 – 2 Brentford